A familiar spark ran through my body and I looked at him suspiciously. "What is that?" I demanded. He only smiled and brushed his lips lightly across mine. "Would you believe that it's our love manifesting?" I lifted an eyebrow. "No, I thought not."

I screamed, my lips suddenly tearing apart. I felt strong arms around me and a chest against my back. A heart thundered loudly and I knew that it was not mine. Fingers dug into my arms and breath ticked my neck. Heat seared my flesh and I jerked, trying to find a reprieve from the pain.

There was a low moan and then I felt a heavy weight press against me. A soft laugh filled my ears and I blinked quickly.

"How noble of you Christopher," Mikka chuckled. I craned my neck around to look at her, my eyes narrowed. "You can't get much more valiant than leaping in front of the damsel in distress to save her from the big bad witch,"

I swallowed hard, forcing my eyes to turn to Christopher. He was the weight that pressed against me. His breathing was raged and his eyes were full of pain. I didn't know what to do to help him, but I wanted to do something. He had just very possibly saved my eternal life.

Mikka's dark eyes flicked toward Caleb and Lilith. She was sitting, curled up, in his lap. She was breathing, so that was a good sign, but Caleb still looked worried. My mind was trying to go in several different directions at once and I just wanted it all to stop!

Christopher pushed himself up slowly, pain etched onto his face. My arms burned from the spell and I knew that he must have felt ten times worse having taken it full force in the back. I climbed shakily to my feet, wishing that I knew some way to get rid of her.

I looked to Caleb and he lifted his eyes to mine. He looked torn and I understood. He knew that he should help me, but he couldn't bring himself to leave Lilith's side. Richard was with Miranda, keeping her behind him at all times.

None of us knew how to handle the witch because none of us had ever encountered a magic user before. That is, save for Christopher. My eyes flicked to his and I swallowed, licking my lips. Perhaps he would be able to do something for us?

Jay stood quickly, his eyes intent on Mikka. "Did you have a part of this?" he demanded, motioning angrily to Lilith.

Mikka looked over at the werewolf with disdain. "No," she drawled. "Though I wish I had. Werewolves are…disgusting creatures," she flicked her eyes to Jay and smiled prettily. "No offense," she purred, fully intending offence.

Jay took a step forward, his hands balled into fists. "You'll pay for everything," he told her.

"And who, pray tell, is going to make me pay? Hm, you?" she asked, batting her eyes at him. A sneer crossed her face and she tossed her hair. "You're nothing."

I could feel Jay's anger boiling inside me like a volcano. With every word that passed through the witches lips, he came closer to erupting. And when he did, I knew it was going to be disastrous. I could feel it in my bones.

Caleb dropped a tender kiss to Lilith's forehead and stood, charging Mike and Grant with her safety for she was in no condition to fight, or even protect herself. He moved to my side, followed by Richard who ordered Miranda to stay put.

I almost smiled, knowing that if Miranda thought she could help, she would and there wasn't a damn thing Richard could do to stop her. Miranda was a force to be reckoned with. Mikka's laughter brought me back to reality.

"And you think this…ragtag group is going to stop me? Your only real source of power is barely strong enough to stand," she mocked, sending Christopher a wicked grin.

"I'm strong enough," Christopher hissed through clenched teeth.

"None of you can get close enough to me to kill me," Mikka sang, twirling quickly.

Jay jerked as if he intended to lunge and I grabbed his wrist. "Don't be a fool," I snapped.

"Lilith—"

"Will live," I interrupted hoping that it was true and I hadn't just lied to the boy. I dropped his wrist when I was sure he wouldn't try to rush Mikka.

Christopher drew my attention, his shoulder slumped, his breathing harsh. I reached out and touched his arm and felt an electric jolt shoot through my body. Christopher jerked as if I had slapped him and turned his hazel eyes on me, his lips pressed in a thin line.

Mikka lifted her hands and wiggled her fingers. "Perhaps we should have a little target practice?" she asked wickedly. Spark danced on her fingertips and I snarled, baring my fangs at her.

"If you hurt my family, you're dead," I warned.

"I'd like to see you try," Mikka laughed.

Jay tensed and he dove at her before I could stop him. The boy was fast, I'd give him that. He was a wolf before he was even airborne. Mikka stopped laughing and sighed, flicking her hand in his direction. He gave a yelp and the sound of electricity filled the air. Jay landed in a heap on the ground, reverted back to his human form in torn clothing.

He lay motionless, his chest no longer rising and falling. I pressed a hand to my mouth, holding back a scream. I could no longer feel his emotions. Tears welled in my eyes and I turned away, biting down on my fist hard enough to draw blood. She had killed him, just like that without even a moment of hesitation.

Something told me Mikka was way beyond Steven; she was more dangerous and more competent. And she was our enemy, standing in opposition to us.

I heard Christopher take in a deep breath and saw him straighten his spine out of the corner of my eye. "Haec anus occidit innocentem et pro peccatis punientur." He breathed, his voice tight with pain.

Mikka let out a scream and dropped to the ground, her chest heaving. Richard lunged, coming up on her faster than Jay had been able. He loomed over her, malice in every part of his body. She stared up at him, her lips curving into a smile.

"Not bad," she cooed. "But not good enough,"

Richard lunged for her, but she was gone in less than half a second, leaving behind only the echo of her laughter. Richard hit the ground with a thud and sat up, a snarl on his lips. He pounded his fist onto the ground and looked my way.

"Are you okay?" he asked me.

I opened my mouth to speak, but caught sight of Christopher swaying out of the corner of my eye and had just enough time to catch him before he collapsed. Once again, I felt an electric jolt pass through my body as our skin came into contact and I wondered at it.

I fought my own tears, uncertain of where we were to go from here. I had always known that a war was coming, but now it seemed to be more real than ever before. A life had been lost, the gauntlet had been thrown, and we had no choice but to pick up the pieces of our shattered hearts and fight.

~0.o~0.o~0.o~0.o~0.o~0.o~

Oh my gosh, I know! I'm a horrible, horrible person! First I leave you all with a cliffhanger and then I kill Jay! The beloved Jay! I'm terrible.

Princess97 - I think I already know who is going to die, but that could change at any minute. I knew, for instance, that Jay was going to die in this book. I didn't know when until I wrote it in this chapter. How horrible is that? Killing off a character in the first chapter. Man, I can't believe I did that. Usually it's so hard for me to kill any of the good guys!

ElfCat2323 - I certainly like Mikka better as a bad guy, but I don't know if she'll replace Steven or not. I'll have to wait and see. And I'm sorry about leaving it on a cliffhanger, but it just seemed like the perfect time to stop and it would give you all something to look forward to. I know, it was mean, but now you all HAVE to read this book to know what happens! -cue evil laughter-

sodapop776 - You are eloquent as always my friend. and I'M SORRY! I know it was just plain rude to end it on a cliffhanger but it was the perfect time to stop! Now, it would have been even more mean if that had been the last book, but it's not so it is acceptable. -sticks tongue out childishly- So there. Lol.

The author would like to thank you for your continued support. Your review has been posted.